Basket caddy for a step ladder

ABSTRACT

A vented wire mesh basket having pivotally mounted u-shaped bail rod handles for installing atop a step ladder for the purpose of holding various tools and other work materials. The vented basked or ladder caddy comprises a plurality of elongated length wise and width wise wires that are formed into a substantially u-shaped pattern where the base of the u-shaped pattern is substantially flattened and the opposing sides of the u-shaped pattern are canted outward with respect to one another. The length wise and width wise u-shaped wires are attached along the length of their base interconnecting to form a vented mesh pattern for the base of the basket. The plurality of sides of the plurality of u-shaped wires form a vented wall of the basket. A top frame wire is formed into a top rim or frame portion that is connected along the top ends of the plurality of sides of the u-shaped wires. There is also a center frame wire formed in an endless loop and connected around the peripheral of the sides of the u-shaped wires proximate a central portion of the sides with respect to the top end and base end of the u-shaped wire. There are also a pair of u-shaped bail rod handles that are pivotally attached to the top frame rod for installing atop a step ladder and for carrying a basket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/977,567 filed on Oct. 29, 2004, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for holding or carryingtools, materials, supplies and other work items and, more particularly,to a tool and work material caddy for a step ladder.

2. Background Art

Many work projects are performed at heights above the height of aworker, which may require the individual worker to utilize a ladder tocomplete the work project at the elevated height. It is common toutilize a step ladder to aid in performing various overhead workprojects. Step ladders are a common apparatus for any operationrequiring a worker to perform a work project at an elevation that isoverhead including such work projects involving painting, plumbing,electrical work, wood work and various other like work projects. Onecommon problem associated with utilizing a step ladder to perform a workproject is the problem of inaccessibility of the tools required forperforming the particular project. Further, it may require that a ladderbe moved to various locations in order to complete the work project atthe elevated height, which will require moving the necessary tools tothe new location approximate the ladder thereby requiring some sort oftool carrying means to avoid multiple trips from location to location toretrieve and move tools.

Virtually all forms of working on a ladder require some type of tool orpart to complete the related project. Retrieving tools or parts ormaterials while on a step ladder has been an ongoing problem becausemost work projects require multiple tools as well as multiple materialitems in order to complete the project. Therefore, it is not uncommonfor the person performing the elevated work project on the ladder tomake repeated trips tip and down a ladder in order to access theappropriate tool to complete or perform a portion of the elevated workproject. Repeated climbing up and down the ladder will result inunnecessary fatigue for the worker.

Various trays, caddys and other holding devices have been adapted forladders and are known in the art for attaching to a step ladder suchthat the worker can readily access tools contained therein. There aretrays that are permanently attached to ladders that can pivotally foldout or retract within the legs of the ladder. There are other varioustrays that are removably attached to a step ladder for holding andsupporting tools and various other items. There are also various caddydevices that are removably attached to a step ladder including utilitybaskets having a u-shaped bail rod handle that fits atop a step ladderfor holding tools such as the utility basket with a carrying handledisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819.

The bail rod handle design of U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819 allows the utilitybasket to be quickly removed and installed atop a step ladder ratherthan requiring other types of brackets for positioning the basket atopthe step ladder. However, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819, thebail rod handle design being pivotable and centrally connected preventsthe bail rod handle from being used as a basket carrying handle suchthat the basket has another handle positioned in the container area ofthe basket. However, this single bail rod design that is centrally andpivotally attached to the basket thus requiring a separate handle forcarrying is not an optimal design for such a ladder caddy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a vented wire mesh baskethaving pivotally mounted unshaped bail rod handles for installing atop astep ladder for the purpose of holding various tools and other workmaterials. The vented basked or ladder caddy comprises a plurality ofelongated length wise and width wise wires that are formed into asubstantially u-shaped pattern where the base of the u-shaped pattern issubstantially flattened and the opposing sides of the unshaped patternare canted outward with respect to one another. The length wise andwidth wise u-shaped wires are attached along the length of their baseinterconnecting to form a vented mesh pattern for the base of thebasket. The plurality of sides of the plurality of u-shaped wires form avented wall of the basket. A top frame wire is formed into a top rim orframe portion that is connected along the top ends of the plurality ofsides of the u-shaped wires. There is also a center frame wire formed inan endless loop and connected around the peripheral of the sides of theu-shaped wires proximate a central portion of the sides with respect tothe top end and base end of the u-shaped wire. There are also a pair ofunshaped bail rod handles that are pivotally attached to the top framerod for installing atop a step ladder and for carrying a basket.

Also, one embodiment of the invention can include a wire locking systemfor an extension cord or electrical cord for a power tool and a spoolrod for mounting a spool of wire.

These and other advantageous features of the present invention will bein part apparent and in part pointed out herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may bemade to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a caddy;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a caddy installed atop a step ladder;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are the top, front and side plan views of the caddy;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are the front and side plan views of the bail rodhandle;

FIG. 4C is a plan view of the locking wire;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the spool rod;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the baskets nested;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top and front plan views of the basket liner;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the alternative bail rod handle; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the alternative locking wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

According to the embodiment(s) of the present invention, various viewsare illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 and like reference numerals are being usedconsistently throughout to refer to like and corresponding parts of theinvention for all of the various views and figures of the drawing. Also,please note that the first digit(s) of the reference number for a givenitem or part of the invention should correspond to the FIG. number inwhich the item or part is first identified.

One embodiment of the present invention comprising a formed top frameand center frame connected around the periphery of interconnectedunshaped wires teaches a novel apparatus for a ladder caddy.

The details of the invention and various embodiments can be betterunderstood by referring to the figures of the drawing. Referring to FIG.1, Item 106 is a steel top frame which can preferably be aboutapproximately ¼″ and is a formed frame with two loops, 112 and 122,incorporated in the body; one loop on each side of the caddy. The loopsextend beyond the rectangular line of the top frame and can be openended loops having a gap wire that bridges the open end. This frame isfor stability and is used to install the two handles, Items 110 and 111,to the caddy which makes carrying tools and supplies painless. Thisframe and handle attachment is used to secure the caddy to the ladder200, see FIG. 200.

The importance of this top frame 106 become critical after the caddy hasbeen installed on the stepladder. As down load force is put inside thecaddy, this frame will experience an outward horizontal force. If thesteel top formed frame becomes bent or deformed, the fulcrum point ofthe caddy would change, a factor critically affecting the outcome orreaction. The result may be that the caddy will not hang in a levelmanner or hang at the appropriate height.

The two loops incorporated in the body of the formed top frame 106,along with Items 114 and 120 referred to as hooks or locking pins,secure electrical cords away from the steps 208 of the stepladder 200,see FIG. 2. By making a loop in the electrical cord and inserting thatloop in the electrical cord through the bottom of the loops found in theformed top frame, then placing hooks or locking pins through the loop inthe electrical cord, this now serves as a locking device securingelectrical cords away from the steps of the stepladder for safety. Italso keeps electrical extension cords attached to the cords of powertools that are being used. This also eliminates the desire to tie knotsfrom the extension cord and the cord from the power tools so that thetwo cords don't become separated.

A center frame 108 is preferably made of steel and can be preferablyabout approximately ¼″. The importance of this frame becomes criticalafter the caddy has been installed on the stepladder. As down load forceis put inside the caddy, this frame will experience an inward horizontalforce against the legs of the stepladder. This frame keeps the spacingof the wire basket from separating. If the spacing between wire in thecaddy should separate, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, afactor critically affecting the outcome or reaction.

Items 102 and 104 of the caddy can be referred to as the long 104 andshort 102 substantially u-shaped wires that are interconnected along thelength of the base of the unshaped wires to form a meshed crossingpattern thereby forming the bottom of a basket. The opposing uprightsides of the u-shaped wires form the walls of the basket. The long wiresare interconnected to the short wires along the lengths of the bases ofthe u-shaped wires in one embodiment such that all the bases and sidesof the long wires are in parallel with respect to each other and thesame for the short wires. Number ten (10) gauge wire can be used for thelong and short wires. Ten (10) gauge wire builds strength in the caddyso that the caddy will not be deformed.

Two (2) handles 110 and 111 or bail rods can be used for the caddy. Eachhandle or bail rod can be made of about approximately ¼″ steel wire. Thelength of each bail rod can be about approximately 17 ⅛″ wide plus orminus as shown. The importance of the length dimension is that eitherhandle on the caddy will swing around and over the top of moststepladders, holding the caddy securely in place. The handle over thetop of the stepladder applies horizontal force to the legs of thestepladder. However, the length of the handle can vary depending on thedimensions of the step ladder for which it is to be used.

Specially, one embodiment of the present invention can be used with adouble approach ladder, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 the length M′ of thebail rod 800 can be designed to be placed over a double approach ladder(not shown), for example one embodiment could be about approximately 21⅜″ to fit over some typical double approach ladders. This embodimentshows the length longer than the width of the basket A, thus theopposing sides 802 and 804, of the bail rod which defines the bail rodswidth are space apart a greater distance than the sides of the basketand greater than the distance between the points where the bail rodattaches to the basket. The length of each bail rod can be reduced ornarrowed on the attachment side of the bail rod to fit the top frame ofa basket so that the distance between two sides of each bail rod isnarrowed towards its centre line where the bail rod is bent inward,presenting a like narrowed throat when viewed in cross-section. Bothsides can be inwardly bent at a sharp point in a lateral direction orcan be inwardly curved as a blunt point. The bail rod is shown having awidth designated as N′ where one embodiment can be about approximately10 ⅛″ and the narrowed length of each bail rod on the attachment side ofthe bail rod to the top frame, designated as MM, can be aboutapproximately 17″. Alternatively, the length of each bail rod can benarrowed continuously to the top frame. The length of the bail rod canbe adjustable to fit various types of ladders in various manners. Anexample of adjustment would be a telescoping rod (not shown). Othermeans for adjusting the length of the bail rod will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

The width of the handle can be about approximately 8 3/16″ as shown. Itis a critical point that the short dimension N be maintained consistentwith the type of ladder for which it will be used. This holds the caddynear the top of the stepladder. If this dimension was made shorter, thehandle may not go over the top of most stepladders which, at this point,the unit could not be used as a ladder caddy.

As discussed above, one embodiment of the present invention is used withthe double approach ladder, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the width N′ ofeach bail rod can be sized to fit a double approach ladder, for example,where one embodiment can be about approximately 10⅛″. Again, it is acritical point that the short dimension N be maintained consistent withthe type of ladder for which it will be used. The width of the bail rodcan be adjustable to fit various types of ladders in various manners. Anexample of adjustment would be a telescoping rod (not shown). Othermeans for adjusting the width of the bail rod will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

Two handles or bail rods can be used for the caddy or basket. The lengthof each bail rod can be longer than the width of the basket for examplethe length can be about approximately 21 ⅜″ wide, plus or minus 1 inch.The importance of the length dimension is that either handle of thecaddy will swing around and over the top of most double approachstepladders and also the folding extension ladders, holding the caddysecurely in place. The handle over the top of the double approachstepladder and most folding extension ladders applies horizontal forceto the legs of the ladder.

The width of the handle can be designed for the type of ladder forexample a handle can be designed with a width needed for double approachstep ladder for example about approximately 8 ⅜″ as shown. It is acritical point that the short dimension be maintained consistent withthe type of ladder for which it will be used. This short dimension holdsthe caddy near the top of the double approach stepladder and mostfolding extension ladders. If this dimension was made shorter, thehandle may not go over top of most double approach stepladders andfolding extensions ladders, which at this point, the unit could not beused as a ladder caddy.

By increasing this N′ dimension to something greater, the fulcrum pointof the caddy or basket would change a factor critically affecting theoutcome or reaction. The caddy would also drop lower on the doubleapproach stepladder and the folding extension ladder, which would limitits usefulness by making it more difficult to reach materials andsupplies inside the caddy. It would also increase tipping of the ladderwhich is a large safety issue.

The off sets MM′, MM, and V in the handle drawing that shows, where oneembodiment can be for example about approximately 2 ¼″× 13/4″×17″respectively are so that this handle fits the basket caddy for astepladder. Any change in these dimensions would change the fulcrumpoint of the caddy, a factor critically affecting the outcome orreaction.

In the standard embodiment by increasing this 8 3/16″ dimension N tosomething greater, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, a factorcritically affecting the outcome or reaction. The caddy would also droplower on the stepladder which would limit its usefulness by making itmore difficult to reach materials and supplies inside the caddy, andwould increase tipping of the stepladder which is a large safety issue.The dimension N can be optimized for ladders for which the presentinvention will be utilized; however, based on the typical step ladderone embodiment is about approximately 8 3/16″.

Hooks and or locking pins can be made of about approximately ¼″ wire.Two for each caddy is shown for example as one embodiment. They arepivotally connected in the top frame in the loop area of the top frameof the caddy. By making a loop in an electrical cord, and inserting thatloop through the bottom of the loops found in the formed frame, thenplacing the hooks or locking pins through the loop in the electricalcord, this now serves as a locking device securing electrical cords awayfrom the steps of the stepladder for safety.

The wire locking system can be made up of ten (10) gauge support wirethat can be 4 ⅜″ long and two can be used for each caddy. Wires 118 and125 can be used as a paint roller handle lock 118 or 125. When a personis using the caddy to hold a paint pan, paint and a paint roller, a needarose to develop a locking system to keep the paint roller handle fromfalling into the paint. These wires 118 and 125 located on each side ofthe caddy serve as the locking device for most paint roller handles. Thedimensions of the caddy can be optimally designed to allow a standardsized paint pan to fit on the bottom of the caddy or dimension such thatthe paint pan can be securely nested on the top frame.

Item 126 can be made of eighteen (18) gauge sheet metal which can beabout approximately 7 ½″×3 3/8″. Its function is to offer a place on thecaddy to support labels.

Items 116 and 124 are two gap wires that can be about approximately ¼″welded to the top formed frame. The function of the gap wires is tosupport an accessory referred to in FIG. 5 as item 500 of the drawingsand can be referred to as a spooler.

The spooler shown on FIG. 5 can be about approximately ¼″ steel rod thatcan be about approximately 20 ⅜″ long with about approximately ¾″ bendon one end and about approximately 1″ bend on the other end and aboutapproximately 1 ¼″ return bend. The return bend is for pivotallyconnecting the spooler or spool rod to one of the gap wires and theopposing end of the spooler is removably hooked on the opposing gapwire. A drawing of this unit can be found on FIG. 5 of the drawing. Thefunction of the spooler is to allow a person to install rolls of wire orcable on the spooler, and then insert the spooler inside the caddy. Thisallows a person to install wire or cable from the top of a stepladder.The importance of having a bend on one end of about approximately 1″with about approximately 1 ¼″ return bend is to hold the spooler inplace.

Item Z is referred to as the side wall angle and that can be seen inFIG. 3C of the drawings. The importance of this angle is to help to holdthe caddy on a level horizontal plane with the stepladder. The angle canbe about approximately 80°. Should the horizontal plane change, thefulcrum point would also change, a factor critically affecting theoutcome or reaction. The angle also aids in the nesting of the units.This detail can be found on FIGS. 6A and 6B of the drawings.

As seen in FIG. 7, tray liner can be about approximately 15.4″ long by10.5″ wide by 2″ deep. Its function is to keep small items such asscrews and nails from falling through the bottom. The size of the trayliner can vary depending on the dimensions of the caddy. The liner canalso be utilized as a paint pan and can be removably disposed in thebottom of the caddy.

Referring to FIG. 2, the caddy 100 is shown installed over the topportion 202 of the step ladder 200 utilizing the bail rod 111. Theopposing bail rod 110 is shown retracted downward such that items can behung therefrom. The center frame 108 is shown resting against the rearlegs 204 and 205 of the step ladder. The center frame 108 reinforces thevented caddy basket such that the spacing between the wires or thebasket are maintained thereby preventing deformation of the basket. Thebail rod 111 is secured about the legs 204, 205, 206 and 207 of the stepladder. A worker can stand on the steps 208 of the step ladder whileaccessing items contained within the caddy.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, a top front and side view of the caddyis shown. The top plan view designates the length dimension as A and thewidth dimension as B. The gage of the wire for mounting the spool rod isdesignated as G. The diameter of the wire locking loop is designated asD and the outer dimensions are designated as E and F. The spacingbetween the unshaped wires is designated as C. One embodiment of theinvention can be such that the dimensions can be about approximately18.75″ for A, 13.8125″ for B, 1.375″ for C, 2.875″ for D, 2.875″ for E,2.875″ for F, and 0.25″ for G. The overall length is designated as H andone embodiment of the invention is such that H can be aboutapproximately 24″, the height is designated as I and can be aboutapproximately 7.5″ and the outward cant of the sides can be aboutapproximately 80° from horizontal. The identification plate 126 isdesignated as having dimensions K×L and one embodiment of the inventionis such that K and L are about approximately 7.5″ and 3.375″respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the front and side plan views of the bailrod handle is shown. The bail rod handle is shown having a length M andwidth N. One embodiment of the invention is such that the length M canbe about approximately 17.125″ and the width N can be aboutapproximately 8 3/16″. The fold back portion 406 of the bail rod handleis described by dimensions S and T where one embodiment of the inventioncan be about approximately 1 13/16″ for S and about approximately ⅜″ forT.

Referring to FIG. 4C, a plan view of the locking wire member 408 isshown. The locking member is shown having a length designated as O whichcan be about approximately 4 ½″. The fold back portion of the lockingmember is described by dimensions designated at P, Q and R where oneembodiment of the invention can be such that P can be aboutapproximately ⅜″, Q can be about approximately 1 ⅛″ and R can be aboutapproximately 35°. One embodiment of the locking member as shown in FIG.9 can have different dimension. The locking member is shown having alength designated as O′ where one embodiment can be about approximately1 ¾″. The fold back portion of the locking member is described bydimensions designated at P′ where one embodiment of the invention can besuch that P′ can be about approximately ⅜″.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the basket caddys are shown in a nestedarrangement. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a top and front plan view isshown of an optional accessory for the caddy basket which is a liner panwhich is designed to be removably installed in the bottom of the caddy.The dimension AA can be about approximately 15.4″ and dimension BB canbe about approximately 10.5″ and dimension CC can be about approximately2.0″.

The various ladder caddy examples shown above illustrate a novel laddercaddy apparatus. A user of the present invention may choose any of theabove ladder caddy embodiments, or an equivalent thereof, depending uponthe desired application. In this regard, it is recognized that variousforms of the subject ladder caddy could be utilized without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of thepresent invention are not limited by the particular details of theexamples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that othermodifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur tothose skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claimsshall cover all such modifications and applications that do not departfrom the sprit and scope of the present invention.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can beobtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appendedclaims.

1. A caddy operable to be mounted over and about a top portion of a stepladder comprising: a plurality of lengthwise substantially planaru-shape wires and a plurality of widthwise substantially planar u-shapewires where the base portion of each u-shaped wire is substantiallyflattened and where the base portions are interconnected along thelength of the base portions such that the lengthwise and widthwise wirescross to form a mesh like bottom portion of the caddy and where theopposing sides of each of the unshaped wires are canted away from eachother at an angle, and where the plurality of sides form the ventedpairs of opposing longer side walls and shorter end walls with respectto each other creating a volume of the basket; a top frame rod connectedabout the peripheral of the side walls at the top and center frame rodconnected about the peripheral of the side walls where each is formedinto a substantially closed rectangle; and a first and second u-shapedbail rod each having opposing ends where the base of each u-shape issubstantially flattened and the ends of opposing sides of each bail rodare pivotally connected respectively to sides of the substantiallyclosed rectangle of the top frame rod.
 2. The caddy as recited in claim1, where the substantially closed rectangular top frame rod has firstand second open ended loops formed therein on opposing short sides ofthe top frame rods for securing electrical cords and where the first andsecond loops have a first and second gap wire respectively to bridge theopen ends and for mounting a spool of wire.
 3. The caddy as recited inclaim 2, further comprising: a spool rod having one end pivotallyattached to the first gap wire and having a length sufficient to supportthe opposing end of the spool rod on the second gap wire for mountingthe spool of wire.
 4. The caddy as recited in claim 2, furthercomprising: a support wire pivotally attached at one end to the firstopen ended loop for locking an electrical cord in place.
 5. The caddy asrecited in claim 2, further comprising: a paint roller handle lockingwire attached horizontally along one of the end walls spaced proximatelybeneath one of the open ended loops.
 6. The caddy as recited in claim 2,further comprising: a liner pan removably disposed on the bottom portionof the caddy.
 7. The caddy as recited in claim 1, where the top framerod and the center frame rod are optimally positioned top to bottomalong the sides of the caddy such that the caddy is optimallystrengthened to resist deformation of basket when in use, and where thebail rods are optimally dimensioned such that the caddy remains atop thestep ladder on which it is installed and is level and where the sides ofthe caddy are inwardly canted top to bottom such that the caddy remainslevel when installed.
 8. The caddy as recited in claim 1, wherein thelength of each bail rod is reduced toward to its centre line to fit thetop frame, from the base of the bail rod to the top frame.
 9. The caddyas recited in claim 1, wherein the opposing sides of each bail rod arebent inwardly thereby fitting the top frame and each opposing side ofthe bail rods includes a locking member pivotally connected respectivelyto sides of the substantially closed rectangle of the top frame rod. 10.A caddy operable to be mounted over and about a top portion of a stepladder comprising: a vented wire basket having a generally ventedrectangular bottom wall and vented pairs of opposing side and end wallsformed by a plurality of u-shaped planar continuous wires having a wirebase portion and side portions having a flattened base portion andoutwardly canted sides portions interconnected in a mesh pattern; a topframe rod connected peripherally about the top of the side walls forminga substantially closed rectangle and a center frame rod connectedperipherally about a central portion of the side walls; and a first andsecond substantially u-shaped bail rod having opposing ends and a bailrod base portion and bail rod side portions having flattened baseportions where the opposing ends are pivotally attached respectively tosides of the substantially closed rectangular top frame rod.
 11. Thecaddy as recited in claim 10, where the substantially closed rectangulartop frame rod has first and second open ended loops formed therein onopposing short sides of the top frame rods for securing electrical cordsand where the first and second loops have a first and second gap wirerespectively to bridge the open ends and for mounting a spool of wire.12. The caddy as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a spool rodhaving one end pivotally attached to the first gap wire and having alength sufficient to support the opposing end of the spool rod on thesecond gap wire for mounting the spool of wire.
 13. The caddy as recitedin claim 11, further comprising: a support wire pivotally attached atone end to the first open ended loop for locking an electrical cord inplace.
 14. The caddy as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a paintroller handle locking wire attached horizontally along one of the endwalls spaced proximately beneath one of the open ended loops.
 15. Thecaddy as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a liner pan removablydisposed on the bottom portion of the caddy.
 16. The caddy as recited inclaim 10, where the top frame rod and the center frame rod are optimallypositioned top to bottom along the sides of the caddy such that thecaddy is optimally strengthened to resist deformation of basket when inuse, and where the bail rods are optimally dimensioned such that thecaddy remains atop the step ladder on which it is installed and is leveland where the sides of the caddy are inwardly canted top to bottom suchthat the caddy remains level when installed.
 17. The caddy as recited inclaim 10, wherein the length of each bail rod is reduced toward to itscentre line to fit the top frame, from the base of the bail rod to thetop frame.
 18. The caddy as recited in claim 10, wherein the opposingsides of each bail rod are bent inwardly thereby fitting the top frameand each opposing side of the bail rods includes a locking memberpivotally connected respectively to sides of the substantially closedrectangle of the top frame rod.
 19. A caddy operable to be mounted overand about a top portion of a step ladder comprising: a wire frame rodformed into a substantially closed rectangle peripherally connectedabout a plurality of interconnected substantially planar u-shaped wireshaving a substantially flattened base, where the interconnects are alongthe bottoms and where the sides of the u-shape form vented pairs ofopposing side and end walls; and a first and second bail rod pivotallyconnected respectively to sides of the substantially closed rectangleframe rod, wherein the length of each bail rod is reduced toward to itscenter line to fit the top frame, from the base of the bail rod to thetop frame.
 20. The caddy as recited in claim 19, wherein the opposingsides of each bail rod are bent inwardly thereby fitting the top frameand each opposing side of the bail rods includes a locking memberpivotally connected respectively to sides of the substantially closedrectangle frame rod.